Suspects wanted in 2 violent attacks on women in Center City

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Police are investigating two violent incidents that occurred in Center City Philadelphia on Friday night, one of which left a woman with serious injuries.

The first incident happened around 8:50 p.m. at 20th and Pine streets. According to police, two Hispanic men attempted to rob two women, demanding a wallet. One of the suspects was armed with a meat cleaver.

Police say one of the women threw her phone, and both victims escaped unharmed.

Just after 11:30 p.m., at 20th and South streets, Sophie Coran told Action News that a man began bludgeoning her with a glass bottle.

Coran was left with stitches on her forehead, staples on the back of her head, and bruising across her body.

The attack was caught on camera. Coran, a lifelong Philadelphian and musician, was headed home after a gig and waiting for a bus when the man cornered her. He is described as Asian or Hispanic.

"He started hitting me over the head repeatedly with this glass bottle, and I fell to the ground and started screaming for help," Coran recalled.

"I knew I needed to do anything to protect myself and needed to fight him off," she added. "We need to be safe and not scared, and we need to catch this person so this doesn't happen to anyone else."

Philadelphia police are investigating each incident separately and have not determined whether they are related.

Police asked us not to show the suspect in the still images because they are pursuing several leads.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 215-686-TIPS.